VB.NET


Simplify Workflow with Custom Activities

The number of built-in Activities that you can use to create a service that handles a long running service is small. Fortunately, it's easy to add additional Activities that wrap up business logic.

Microsoft Unveils 'Reimagined' Windows 8 at Build Event

At its Build development conference in Anaheim, Calif., this week, Microsoft has pulled back the curtain on its new operating system, code-named "Windows 8."

Using Razor with Visual Basic

Build a Web site using MVC 3 and the Razor View Engine.

Survey Reveals Shifting Cloud Attitudes

Developers increasingly prefer cloud-based development tooling.

Take Advantage of XML Comments (Part 2)

On VB columnist Joe Kunk continues his examination of XML comments by extending the XML comment vocabulary with additional default tags in Visual Basic and showing how to process the resulting XML file into API-style reference documentation using the SandCastle Help File Builder.

Threats or Opportunities?

Microsoft faces new threats today, like smartphones and tablets, but are they more severe than past ones?

Take Advantage of XML Comments (Part 1)

Use XML comments to generate IntelliSense and custom documentation for your applications. Part 1 of this two-part series explores using standard XML comments to document your code within Visual Studio.

An Encrypted String Data Type for Visual Studio LightSwitch

Learn how to extend support for Microsoft C#-only BlankExtension/BizType projects to Visual Basic.

Automate Microsoft Excel with Visual Studio 2010

Enhancements in the .NET Framework 4 and Visual Studio 2010 make Office automation solutions easier than ever to write and deploy. Here's an Excel automation scenario that reflects solutions that I've seen requested by multiple clients.

.NET Languages at the Crossroads

Readers respond to the May cover story (".NET at the Crossroads") on the direction of C# and Visual Basic.

Tale of the Cryptic Encoding

Someone named Robbie had created a posting asking for assistance in resolving a problem with a simple Visual Basic .NET console application. It was used to retrieve and process product registrations and credit card transactions via the Internet for a piece of niche shareware.

Is Visual Studio LightSwitch the New Access?

The LightSwitch RAD platform generates apps with "no coding required." What's in it for you? .NET apps that are easier to maintain and extensions built on the Managed Extensibility Framework.

All Things to All People

Bigger is better. At least, that seems to be the philosophy at the Microsoft Developer Division.

Visual Basic and C# at the Crossroads

How the Microsoft co-evolution strategy has shaped the two flagship languages of the .NET Framework, and what it means for developers going forward.

Make Objects Look Alike... and Tell Them Apart

Here's everything you need to know to simplify your code about how to make classes look alike and then, when you need to, tell them apart.

Deleting all Data from a SQL Server Database (Part 2)

In part 2 of a series, On VB columnist Joe Kunk provides a Visual Basic program to generate a SQL script that clears all the data from a SQL Server database.

Deleting All Data from a SQL Server Database

There are times as a developer that you will want to be able to delete all the data from a database as efficiently as possible. Unfortunately, doing so may not be as easy as it seems.

The Logic Behind Modern Maintenance

When the big merger was announced, the IT staff of both corporations was a little bit nervous, and with good reason: The day after the announcement, many redundant positions were eliminated.

Surfacing the Visual Basic Templates in WebMatrix

WebMatrix is an exciting new tool for creating ASP.NET Web applications. Unfortunately, Visual Basic developers face an additional challenge because Microsoft only surfaces C# templates. Here's how to get access to the VB templates.

Failure's Secret Sauce: Poor Project Management

On VB columnist Joe Kunk says coding errors can lead to trouble, but the vast majority of big mistakes are due to poor or misguided project management.